Malaysian Indian Congress to not pull out from government

Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 17 (ANI): The Malaysian Indian Congress will not pull out from the Cabinet and has pledged support to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's Government, party president S. Samy Vellu has said.

Vellu said the party discussed the issue for more than 90 minutes on Thursday, and decided it would support the leadership of Razak.

"We know the appointment is the prerogative of the prime minister and we are not making any comment on it," The Star quoted Vellu, as saying.

Earlier, the Party was reportedly planning to withdraw its ministers and two deputy ministers from to protest the lack of importance given to the Indian community.

Being the third largest party in the Barisan Nasional coalition, the MIC has now requested for a senior portfolio in the cabinet.

"The MIC has always been allocated a senior ministerial post since the days of then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman," Vellu said.

Vellu submitted the names of party secretary-general Dr. S. Subramaniam for the minister's post, while S.K. Devamany and M. Saravanan for deputy minister to Najib.

"I had also recommended a woman representative for an additional deputy minister's post. I handed the list to the PM and said that it was his decision," he said.

Vellu clarified that it was during the term of the previous president Sri V. Manickavasagam that the party ceased to have two full ministers.

After Sri Athi Nahappan collapsed and died at a function to celebrate his appointment in 1976, MIC was given two deputy ministers posts instead. (ANI)